The General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Hassan Dada has charged media practitioners to show greater commitment in protecting the country’s national security by avoiding the spread of fake news and negative media content capable of inciting violence.
Maj. Gen Dada stated this while speaking during the 33rd Edition of the Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar held in Aba, with the Theme; Enhancing National Security Through The Responsible Use Of Social Media”.
The GCO who described the seminar as “timely and apt”, said the programme is aimed at ensuring National security as well as to X-ray the service delivery of the Nigerian Army Personnel in addition to officially equip youths domiciled in the South East region on ways to guarantee a safe and secure society for all.
He decried that the social media platform has been hijacked by all manner of users who out of ignorance fail to consider the outcome of their social media contents on National Security.
“It is pertinent to state that social media have become an important tool in shaping the environment of any society, therefore, the misuse of any of the social media platforms for the dissemination of injurious contents can lead to devastating impact on the society”, the GOC maintained.
Major General Dada expressed optimism that the seminar’s results would foster a deeper comprehension of how the uncontrolled dissemination of messages, videos, and voice notes on social media platforms could endanger the collective peaceful coexistence in the country.
The GOC while soliciting the support of the people, pointed out that the Nigerian Army cannot achieve her constitutional responsibility without the corporation and of citizens and added that the symbiotic relationship is pivotal to the attainment of the collective desires of economic prosperity and national growth.
He assured of the resilience of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies to sustain “the efforts to exterminate any individual or group that would try to be a source of threat to the collective presence in Abia state and other states in the South East Region”.
A cross section of journalists at the seminar
In his address, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj Gen. Nosa Ugbo acknowledged the crucial role of social media in shaping public opinion and emphasized the importance of the seminar as a platform for engagement and collaboration between the Nigerian Army and various stakeholders.
Maj. Gen Ugbo represented by the Director of Psychological Operations,Dept of Civil Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Bola Keji harped on the need for responsible use of the social media platforms to foster peace and national unity.
Some participants at the seminar
He said that the seminar is a key part of its outreach and engagement strategy to inform and educate the public about the efforts of Nigerian Army to maintain Peace and security across the nation adding that the overall intent is to combat the the harmful influence of hate speeches, fake news and divisive contents propagated through the social media.
“Our collective mission is to combat the pernicious influence of fake news, hate speeches, and divisive content propagated through technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, voice modulation, and video editing.
“The undeniable truth is that our words, tone, and propagation across social media reverberate far beyond the digital realm, significantly impacting on Nigeria’s security landscape. Thus, we must acknowledge that social media is pivotal in fostering peace and shaping public opinion and perception“, Major Gen Ugbo stated.
The seminar which attracted social media influencers, bloggers, media practitioners, and the general public featured paper presentations including, “Curtailing Negative Content On Social Media; Responsibilities Of Users”, by Dr. Ehiz Odigie-Okpataku as well a paper presentation titled”Fake News On Social Media & It’s Effect On National Security”, by Prof Joshua Ogbonna.
